Students Learn Automotive Education Through Quaker State’s Hands-On Program

The best way to learn something is to do it, and why not encourage learning with a little friendly competition?

To promote automotive mechanics’ education, Quaker State sponsored a six-week program for high school auto shop classes across America. During the “Best in Class Challenge,” students dove arms-deep into restoring, tuning, and customizing a pre-owned car that showed off their school spirit.

After judging the work of five participating schools, Quaker State has announced Maxwell High School of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia as the winner.

Teaching Future Automotive Mechanics with Hands-On Programs Today

The winners were selected by industry pros like Tommy Pike of Tommy Pike Customs and NASCAR driver Paul Menard, who judged the refurbished cars on interior and exterior vehicle improvements, diagnostic testing results and overall creativity.

The Navigators–the winning team from Atlanta–will receive a $2,000 AutoZone gift card and a custom advertisement in a coming issue of Popular Mechanics. They, as well as Satellite High School (Orlando, Florida – 2nd place) and Iredell Statesville Schools Automotive Technology Center (Charlotte, North Carolina – 3rd place), will have their cars auctioned off in Texas on December 11th. The proceeds of the Mecum Auctions will go to each corresponding school.

However, regardless of the amount of money that will be raised, the experience for these students is truly priceless.

“We developed the ‘Best In Class Challenge’ to help automotive students get hands-on experience outside the classroom and under the hood. The passion for the program has surpassed our highest expectations,” said Gita Gidwani, Quaker State Global Brand Manager. “We hope the competition has inspired the students to continue honing their craft and ultimately become the auto technicians and engineers of the future.”

Other participating schools included New Trier High School in Chicago, Illinois and Kearny High School in Northern New Jersey.

Congratulations to all participants and winners!  Continue to follow your dreams and work hard, and you’re going to take the future of the auto industry to new heights.